Government Rules out Creating More Safe and Legal Routes for Asylum Seekers

The government has ruled out setting up any more so-called safe and legal routes for those wanting to claim asylum in Britain. In July 2023, when the Illegal Migration Act was passed, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the government was making it clear, “if you come here illegally, you can’t claim asylum.” Under the terms of the Illegal Migration Act the government was obligated to publish a report setting out what safe and legal routes there are for asylum seekers, and announcing any additional schemes. On Thursday campaigners were disappointed when the report was published and included no additional schemes. Instead it reiterated Mr. Sunak’s warning, stating: “The Illegal Migration Act makes it unambiguously clear that, if you enter the UK illegally, you will not be able to remain here … You will no longer be able to frustrate removal attempts with late or spurious legal challenges or appeals, and once removed, you will have no right to re-entry, settlement or citizenship.”...